(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, May 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Ransomware called “GandCrab” has recently surged through emails in South Korea, industry sources said Friday.
GandCrab, which first appeared in January overseas, sends a malicious URL through emails for a ransom note demanding a payment in cryptocurrency. Ransomware refers to malware that locks up files on a computer with encryption until the victims pay a certain amount of money to hackers.
Tens of thousands of GandCrab spam emails have been distributed to local users after posing as famous local recruiting or delivery companies, they said.
The industry sources said it costs between 600,000 won (US$570) and 2 million won to repair a server infected with GandCrab, with the cost doubling when not fixed in two days.
Some IT firms even demand up to 50 percent of commission or prepayment for the restoration, they added.
South Korea earlier suffered massive damage from the ransomware “WannaCry,” which struck around 20 local companies.
(Yonhap)
